First Baptist Church Lipan, TX

Gospel in a Nutshell - John 3:16For God - An Extraordinary GodSo Loved - An Exceptional LoveThe World - All-Encompassing RecipientHe Gave - The Greatest ActionHis Only Son - The Greatest GiftThat Whoever - Unimaginable AvailabilityBelieves - Greatest SimplicityIn Him - The Greatest PersonShall Not Perish - The Greatest ReleaseBut - The Greatest DifferenceHave Eternal Life - An Everlasting Promise

Who Am I? - Acts 4:1-22God puts you in situations for a reason.God is in the habit of using ordinary people.Holy Spirit will equip you for the work before you.God will prove your work genuine.

I'm Not Called - 1 Corinthians 12:4-11Every person is called and gifted with a special job.What we have the same: Spirit Lord GodWhat we have different: Gifts Ministries ActivitiesEach means that nobody is left out.A body missing a part becomes crippled.There are multiple voices calling out to us.

Not the Right Age - Genesis 18:1-15God's Promises are valid no matter your age.Increased age does not mean decreased responsibility.We should be careful at scoffing at what God tells us to do.You also can't be too young to be used by God.Your age is no excuse to not do what God sets before you.

When the World Falls Apart - 1 Thessalonians 5:13b-24

Leaving the CZ - Genesis 12:1-4God always calls you out of your comfort before He calls you into your purpose.Leaving the comfort zone requires obedience.Leaving the comfort zone requires trust.Leaving the comfort zone prepares the way for blessing.

The Rest of the Story - Luke 15:25-32The Other Brother's relationship with his father was broken.The elder brother was missing out on a blessing.Hidden sin can keep you from the blessings of God.

The One - Luke 15:1-24The One Counts to God.God is actively searching for those who are lost.God's love and reputation reach to the farthest reaches of the human condition.God always celebrates when one lost soul is found.Who is your one?

Starting a Fire - Habakkuk 3:2Revival can begin when the people of God stand humbly before Him in awe of His majesty and deeds.Revival will come as a result of the prayers of God's people and their want to seek.

Godly Friendships - 1 Samuel 18:1-4

Taking God out of the Box - Acts 10:9-16Everybody has a God boxGreat things happen when you take God out of the boxIt is time to take God out of the box

Why, God, Why? Remember that while God controls all things, He does not cause all things.We can't understand - God is Sovereign - We can't see the bigger plan.In times like this, we must trust God to be who He promises He is.We cannot waste the opportunity - We must learn lessons from these disasters.God was there in the midst of the flood and devastation.We live in hope.

Hope - 1 Peter 3:15Christ should be first.Our lives should broadcast a hope that others can see.We must understand the gospel and what it does for us.Our responsibility is only to share.

Attitude Adjustment - Philippians 2:1-11Let God Be GodServe others as a lifestyle rather than an afterthoughtBe obedient to the painful choice of dyingGod will be glorified

God's Preparation - Judges 7:1-7We have to get ourselves out of the way.You cannot do the work of God properly if you are doing it in fear.We must be aware of what is going on around us.God doesn't pay attention to numbers.God's plan for Gideon, and for us, is that the enemy would destroy itself.

Calling All Superheroes - Ephesians 4:1-7We are called to live on purpose.We are called to act with meeknessWe are called to live life together.We are all gifted from the same source, yet we are gifted individually.

Lessons From A RoadtripSometimes the road less traveled leads to the greater blessing - Matthew 7:13-14Sometimes you just have to ask - Matthew 7:7-8Presence is more valuable than presents - Matthew 1:22-23Self control is sometimes better than self defense - James 1:19-20You can't judge a book by its cover - John 7:24Sometimes the beginning of a thing does not match the end - Zechariah 4:10

Ephesians 2: 1-9 - God Brings Us Back to Life

When The World Isn't Nice - Matthew 5: 38-48Being set apart sometimes requires a response opposite our desires.God's way is not our way.You don't have to like or feel good about somebody to love somebody.The world follows its feelings - Believers should follow God.We are called to strive to be something we cannot attain.

Hard Praise - Psalm 42Sometimes things aren't okay.Relationship with God takes work.Sometimes the remembrance of the past fuels the faith of the future.Even when you can't feel Him, God is present.When you are struggling in negative situations, look to the source of hope.

Who Are You Listening To? - 1 Samuel 28:3-19Saul's first problem was he focused on His glory rather than God's.Saul's second problem was rather than submitting and repenting, Saul chose to push God.Saul's third problem was he listened to the wrong person.

The Case for the Resurrection - Luke 24:1-12The Word of the WomenThe Ignorance of the DisciplesThe testimony of the SoldiersThe Coverup of the PhariseesHis Post Resurrection Appearances

Four Days Late - John 11:1-45There is purpose in everything Jesus does.God's timing is not our timing.Jesus expects us to do what we can to prepare for Him to work.Although we work to prepare the way, only Jesus can do the true work.Jesus expects us to see His work on through to completion.When Jesus resurrects something, it has to be loosed and let go.

You Can Know You Are Saved - 1 John 5:13A certain faith is based on the proper object.A certain faith requires the proper method of faith.A certain faith is confirmed by the Holy Spirit.A certain faith is confirmed by obedience.

There is a Hell - Luke 16:19-31Hell is a place with real people.Hell is a place of torment.Hell is a place of consciousness.Hell is inescapable.Hell does not have to be our destination.

There is a Heaven - John 14:1-7HEAVEN IS THE PRESENCE OF THE FATHERHEAVEN IS A PLACE OF COMMUNION WITH OTHERSHEAVEN IS BEING PREPARED FOR ITS FUTURE RESIDENTSHEAVEN IS PREPARED FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE PREPARED THEMSELVESJESUS IS THE WAY TO HEAVEN

There is a God - Acts 14:16-17WE CAN KNOW THERE IS A GOD BY THE WITNESS OF CREATION.WE CAN KNOW THERE IS A GOD FROM THE WITNESS OF OUR CONSCIENCE.WE CAN KNOW THERE IS A GOD FROM THE WITNESS OF JESUS.

There is Truth - John 18:36-38We're all searching for truthThe incarnation of Jesus testifies to the truthJesus is the truthHaving the truth changes your lifeThe truth is what God says it is! Not what I want it to be!

When we encounter God's presence - Exodus 3:1-6Whenever a believer encounters God's presence, it will put them in a position of humbleness and reverence before God.A believer can approach the throne of grace (God's presence) whenever we need grace and mercy to deal with life.

A Winning Attitude, Part 2 - Matthew 5:7-12The first work that is required of the Christian is that of mercy, not piety or religion.This beatitude shifts our attention from charity to purity; it examines our motive.A peacemaker is someone who is prepared to pursue peace and pay the high price if necessary.Jesus does not want His disciples under the impression that the Christian life is easy.

A Winning Attitude, Part 1 - Matthew 5: 3-6To be poor in spirit means to be spiritually bankrupt before God.Mourning here are people who are broken hearted because of the sin they have committed against God.A Meek person is someone who understands who and what they are in relation to other people.Hungering and thirsting for righteousness means desiring more than anything the things of God.

Praying Like Jesus Prayed - Matthew 6:9-13OUR PRAYER BEGINS FROM A PLACE OF INTIMATE RELATIONSHIPOUR PERSONAL GOD CANNOT BE MISTAKEN FOR ANYONE EXCEPT THE CREATOR OF THE COSMOSOUR GOD IS HOLY AND SEPARATEDTHY KINGDOM COME IS NOT A HOPEFUL EXPECTATION OF A FUTURE REALITY. IT IS A PLEA TO BE THE AGENTS OF THE KINGDOM IN THE HERE AND NOWWE ARE TO SEEK PRESENT NEED RATHER THAN FUTURE PREPARATIONCLEARLY THE FORGIVENESS OF OUR SINS IS CONNECTED TO OUR FORGIVING THE SINS OF OTHERSOUR PRAYER SHOULD REMIND US OF BOTH OUR NEED FOR GUIDANCE AND PROTECTIONEVERYTHING IS GOD'S AND FOR GOD – ALWAYS HAS BEEN, ALWAYS WILL BEIF WE PRAY AS JESUS TAUGHT, IT CAN REVOLUTIONIZE OUR PRAYER LIFE

Faithful with a Little - Matthew 24:14-30God doesn't give each of us the same thing.When God gives us something, He expects us to use it.God expects us to use what He has given us in proportion.When we're faithful with a little, we're given more.If you're not faithful, what you have is taken from you.

A Fresh Start - Isaiah 43:18-21We must not cling to the past. We cling to our failures. We remain in the glory of God's former work in our lives.God is constantly doing new things.God makes a way where there is no way.God is a God of unexpected blessings.

Setting Up Camp - Genesis 13:8-18The direction you pitch your tents has a direct bearing on your success.Focus colors your priorities and those of your family.Sometimes leftovers are the best.

Lessons from the Beginning - Genesis 1God is First.There is an order.Everything has a purpose.There are instructions to follow.God focused on the needs, not the wants.God took time to rest.

God is a Know It All

A Simple Christmas - Luke 2:8-12Christmas is simply for all people.The message is simple.Salvation is easy.

What Christmas is Really About - Galatians 4:4-7Christmas is about the timing of God.Christmas is about the coming of God.The Son is God Incarnate (In the flesh).Christmas is about the love of God for His creation.Christmas is the beginning of the Easter story.When we see the cradle, we have to see the cross.Christmas is about the forgiveness and adoption of sinners.

Living Life Together - Colossians 3:12-15How we treat others is a decision we make for ourselves based on our relationship to God.Our example of forgiveness is Jesus.Do it all in love.If we do these things, we can live at peace within ourselves, knowing we have lived up to our Father's name.

A Thankful Life - Luke 17:11-19People rarely have a problem asking Jesus to bless or heal them.The issue we have is remembering to thank Jesus for the blessings He bestows.Our need to show thankfulness is in direct relationship to how we view ourselves.A change in attitude sets apart a thankful life from a thankless one.

Who is my neighbor? Luke 10:25-37Philippians 2:3Romans 12:18James 3:6-12

Kingdom Investments for Eternal Dividends - Luke 19:1-10We invest in others by giving our attention.We invest in others by giving our time.We invest in others regardless of the reactions of people around you.We invest in others by treating them with generosity and grace.We invest in others because Jesus first invested in us.When we invest in others, it opens a door for God to move.

Defending the Faith in Church - Titus 1:10-16Dangerous Leaders are religious, but rebellious.Dangerous leaders are teachers, but they are deceivers.We are called to silence false teachers.We are called to rebuke those who follow the false teaching.

Defending the Faith at Home - Acts 4:7-22You must be bold.You must be direct and honest.You must be confident.Love doesn't mean you never offend. It means you aren't offensive.We are called to defend our faith. Not sacrifice it on the altar of hospitality.

Have You Heard - Proverbs 18:17-21Half the story is only half the truth.Once someone is offended, the relationship is hard to repair.Your words have power.The best way to stop a gossip is not participate in the gossip.

Becoming a Great Church - Acts 4:23-31 A Great Church is a Thankful Church.A Great Church is a Praying Church.A Great Church is a United Church.A Great Church is a Praising Church.A Great Church is a Bold Church.A Bold Church Understands that God works through opposition.A Great Church believes in the Impossible.A Great Church is a shaken church.

Conquest: Getting Into Your Promised Land - Joshua 6:1-16To obtain your promised land, you have to believe God.To obtain your promised land, you must do what God tells you to do.To obtain your promised land, you must view God's promises as a current reality.

Finding Forgiveness in Hard Situations - Genesis 50:15-26WHEN YOU HAVE SINNED AGAINST SOMEONE ELSE, GUILT HAS A WAY OF HOLDING ONSIN BETWEEN PEOPLE DAMAGES RELATIONSHIPSIF GOD FORGIVES THE SINS OF OTHERS, WHO ARE WE TO WITHHOLD THAT SAME FORGIVENESSGOD DOESN'T JUST COMMAND FORGIVENESS, GOD COMMANDS GRACEGOD NEVER ABANDONS OR FORGETS HIS PEOPLE

Strangers in a Strange Land - Genesis 47:1-12No matter how comfortable and nice the place we find ourselves is, we must never forget where we call home.You must never be afraid to ask the King for what you want specifically.Our good witness and reputation can bring blessings on those around us.No matter your position, you can be used by God in the lives of people more important than you.

Living Life in This World - Genesis 46:28-34A Son is given to direct the way to new life.True joy is found through faithfulness to God and the willingness to follow His lead.You cannot be ashamed of who you are if you are being who God called you to be.God's people are called to be in the world, but not of the world.